This report looks at trends since 1997, uniquely combining several data sources to give the most comprehensive view available on how patterns in access to higher education have changed in the years between 1997 and 2022. A major study of higher education trends over the past 25 years reveals persistent access gaps for disadvantaged students, particularly at the most selective universities. The research, using a unique dataset compiled by dataHE for the Sutton Trust, shows that despite huge expansion of higher education, the progress that has been made in closing access gaps between state and independent school pupils has not translated into significantly more equal representation of young people from less advantaged homes. This report shows that while there are more young people accessing higher education than ever, an escalating education "arms race" has meant that narrowing the gaps in access to the most selective universities has been stubbornly slow. [This report summarises data and analysis produced by dataHE for the Sutton Trust.]